The Forrest City times., 1887-10-22
SET IN DIAMONDS
Charlotte N. Braeme.
CHAPTER XLrII-CoSrISuEp.


 "What kind of woman was shes' asked the earl.
 Tall and slender-ber face very fair -her eyes the color of fresh violets- her hair was biack-she had lovely white hands. do not exaggerate, papa. when say that she might have been duchess. Her manner was so grace fnl, so perfect. 1 could neyer-eyen if every jewel l had n the world had been found in her box-I could never have believed her to have been a thiefp,
 "Ethel always maintains the woman's innocence '" said the duke. We have ceased to argue the question, because we shall never agree about it. 1 feel sure she WAS guilty. ."
 "lt seems a strange thing that nothing has been heard Of the remain Ger Of tue jewels sH said Lord Stair.
 i am not so sure that 1t is strange ,n said the duke. Iney arc being kept quiet, shoul d imagine. until the search Is supposed to oe over. Then they will bs sold, in ho.isnd most likely; the rich diamond merchants of Amsterdam will buy them"
 ''lt seems to mo only yesterday that l brought the loekets home," said Lord Stair. Ethel, what do you think your poor mothers criticism upon my DOT trait was .''
 "I can not tell" she answered. What was it papa ?"
 "ahe said she liked 1t because the eyes had such kind expression :"
 50 they have papa - said Ethel; "I nave noticed that myself. What became of the other locket, papa? the one you have of my poor motherip
 = do not know, :" he answered. "Her maid Phebe Askern ran away at the tlme, and your aunt, Lady Thamer, always said she toek many of my DO or wlie's jewels with her. Whether she stole sne locket, or whether your mcIher wore it and 1t was destroy ed m the railway accident, no one knows ."
 They were wonderfully near the truth in that moment, yet no one see m- ed to have the fsintest suspicion of il.
 "The strangest part of the story is that she will not speak ,' said Lord stair. "It sue is bound by word of honor to keep faith with gang of thieves, she will not break it. Haye you offered areward, Fulke? continued . of the jewels :"
 "No, l have not" he replied. "I have been trusting always that we should persuade Mrs. Grey to speak ."
 If l were in your place I should offer a reward large enough to tempt one of the band"
 ''i will, "said the duke, and he did 90.
 The next step in the tragedy was a reward Of two hundred pounds offered to any who could give information as to the whereabouts of the jewels.
 Another day when they were discuss Ing the robbery, Lord Stair said to his daughter
 ''I believe my gift ofthe locket was a fatal gift. Where do you keep yours, Ethel? ?'
 Il keep it with far more care than bestowed On the grand heir-looms of the Feaths," she replied.
 "l should like to see it once again :" said Lord Stair. You never wear it Ethel"
 "No," replied the duchess ''it is too full Of sad memories. can never wear 1t again; but you shall see it papa"
 In answer to the summons from the duchess, Jennie Dane went tor the locket. Jennie was very subdued in those days. The duke had felt inclined to send her away, the duchess would not consent, and the pretty maid rs- mained on suilerence. She came trip ping back with the locket in her hand, but she no longer looAed up into ones ace with a smile. She never lost the consciousness of her missdeeds.
 Lord Stair took it from her hands. and went to the window, the better to examine 1.-the sunlight shone ami gleamed In those costly diamonds; his daughter camk up to him.
 My mother was right" :" she said, ''your pictured eyes are more kindly than your living ones; perhaps you were very happy that day"
 "I was" he replied, ''yery happy. I had gone to London about the pub lication of my book, and your mother had asked me to bring you and her something home, and 1 was pleased that had thought ofthis. Your mother was pleased too-yes l was very happy, l remember it all 80 well. Poor Darcy Este, he admired the portraits, and Lady Thamer too. have a presenti- ment ,' went on Lord Stair, "that the jewels will be recovered after all. If ever you see them again. Ethel, have safer place to keep them in"
 s'I will, "she re piled. ':After all, papa, they did not take my greatest treasure, my brightest jewel.
 ''Wha is that ?" asked Lord Stair.
 And for all answer, the young due h. ess threw her arms round her husbands neck, and kissed his face.